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We carried out an experiment to produce the neutron-rich hypernucleus Λ6H via the (π−, K+) reaction on 6Li target at the pion beam momentum of 1.2 GeV/c (J-PARC E10). In order to calibrate the scale of the missing-mass or of the Λ binding energy of the hypernucleus, we also measured the 12C(π+, K+) Λ12C, p(π−, K+)Σ− and p(π+, K+)Σ+reactions. The experiment was performed at the J-PARC Hadron Hall K1.8 beam line in December 2012 and January 2013. The overall collected data sample corresponds to an integrated beam intensity of 1.65 × 1012 pions.

This paper shows the potential application of a new sewage treatment process with technologies of excess sludge reduction and phosphorus recovery. The process incorporated ozonation for excess sludge reduction and crystallisation process for phosphorus recovery to a conventional anaerobic/oxic (A/O) phosphorus removal process. A lab-scale continuous operation experiment was conducted with the ratio of sludge flow rate to ozonation tank of 1.1% of sewage inflow under 30 to 40 mgO3/gSS of ozone consumption and with sludge wasting ratio of 0.34% (one-fifth of a conventional A/O process). Throughout the operational experiment, a 60% reduction of excess sludge production was achieved in the new process. A biomass concentration of 2,300 mg/L was maintained, and the accumulation of inactive biomass was not observed. The new process was estimated to give a phosphorus recovery degree of more than 70% as an advantage of excess sludge reduction. The slight increase in effluent COD was observed, but the process performance was maintained at a satisfactory level. These facts demonstrate an effectiveness of the new process for excess sludge reduction as well as for phosphorus recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A man in his 60s developed a pancreatic pseudocyst postoperatively after an open graft replacement for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Endoscopic drainage was performed; however, this led to an aortic graft infection due to macroscopic communication with the perigraft cavity. Percutaneous drainage was performed to manage the pancreatic fistula and graft infection simultaneously. Although the pancreatic pseudocyst diminished, the aortic graft infection persisted. Subsequently, partial aortic graft replacement with greater omental flap coverage was performed. He was discharged with oral antibiotics, with no recurrence of infections at 10 months., (@ 2024 The Editorial Committee of Annals of Vascular Diseases.)

Background: Photoimmunotherapy is a treatment modality that induces targeted cell death by binding a molecular-targeted drug activated by infrared light to the tumor cells and subsequently illuminating the lesion with infrared light. For deep lesions, a needle catheter is used to puncture the tumor, and an illumination fiber (cylindrical diffuser) is inserted into the catheter lumen for internal illumination. However, it can be challenging to place the cylindrical diffusers in an appropriate position as the deep lesions cannot be often confirmed accurately during surgery., Materials and Methods: We have developed "SlicerPIT", a planning simulation software for photoimmunotherapy. SlicerPIT allows users to place the cylindrical diffuser with its illumination range on preoperative images in 2D and 3D and export the planning data to external image-guided surgical navigation systems. We performed seven cycles of photoimmunotherapy with SlicerPIT in three patients with recurrent head and neck cancer., Results: Preoperative planning for photoimmunotherapy was conducted using SlicerPIT, which could be imported into the navigation system. During the operation, we punctured the needle catheters along with the treatment plan on the navigation screen. Subsequently, intraoperative CT imaging was performed and overlaid with the preoperative treatment plan to confirm the alignment of the cylindrical diffusers as planned, followed by infrared light illumination. Postoperative imaging showed necrosis and shrinkage of the entire tumor in all cycles., Conclusion: SlicerPIT allows for detailed preoperative treatment planning and accurate puncture. It may be a valuable tool to improve the accuracy of photoimmunotherapy for deep lesions and improve patient outcomes., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Japan Society of Clinical Oncology.)

Purpose: To develop a vascular intervention simulation model that replicates the characteristics of a human patient and to compare the mechanical properties of a 3-dimensional (3D)-printed transparent flexible resin with those of porcine arteries using the elastic modulus (E) and kinetic friction coefficient (μ k )., Materials and Methods: Resin plates were created from a transparent flexible resin using a 3D printer. Porcine artery plates were prepared by excising the aorta. E values and the adhesive strengths of the resin and arterial surfaces toward a polyethylene plate, were measured with a tensile-compressive mechanical tester. Resin transparency was measured using an ultraviolet-visible light spectrometer. The μ k value of the resin plate surface after applying silicone spray for 1-5 seconds and that of the artery were measured using a translational friction tester., Results: E values differed significantly between the arteries and resin plates at each curing time (0.20 MPa ± 0.04 vs 8.53 MPa ± 2.37 for a curing time of 1 minute; P < .05). The resin was stiffer than the arteries, regardless of the curing times. The visible light transmittance and adhesive strength of the resin decreased as the curing time increased. The adhesive strength of the artery was the lowest. The μ k value of the silicone-coated resin surface created by applying silicone for 2-3 seconds (thickness of the silicone layer, 1.6-2.0 μm) was comparable with that of the artery, indicating that the coating imparted a similar slippage to the resin as to the living artery., Conclusions: A transparent flexible resin is useful for creating a transparent and slippery vascular model for vascular intervention simulation., (Copyright © 2023 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) damages cancer cells via photosensitization using harmless laser irradiation. We synthesized a new photosensitizer, mannose-conjugated-chlorin e6 (M-chlorin e6), which targets mannose receptors that are highly expressed on M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs) and cancer cells. In our previous study, we demonstrated that M-chlorin e6 PDT reduces tumor volume and decreases the proportion of M2-TAMs. Whether M-chlorin e6 PDT-treated cancer cells activate tumor immunity remains unclear, although the decrease in M2-TAMs is thought to be a direct injurious effect of M-chlorin e6 PDT. Calreticulin (CRT) is exposed at the surface of the membrane of cancer cells in response to treatment with chemotherapeutic agents such as anthracycline and oxaliplatin. Surface-exposed CRT induces phagocytosis of CRT receptor-positive cells, including macrophages, inducing anticancer immune responses. In the present study, we found that M-chlorin e6 PDT increases CRT on the surface of cancer cells, leading to macrophage phagocytosis of cancer cells. Furthermore, M-chlorin e6 PDT increases CD80 + CD86 + macrophages. These results suggest that M-chlorin e6 PDT exerts anti-tumor effects by both enhancing the phagocytosis of cancer cells and strengthening the anti-tumor phenotype of macrophages., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background/aim: Although computed tomography (CT) is the standard modality for diagnosing lymph node metastasis (LNM), transabdominal ultrasonography (US) can be useful due to its high spatial resolution and use of Doppler signals to precisely analyse lymph nodes. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of US for lymph node assessment, establish US-based diagnostic criteria for LNM, and compare the capability of US with that of CT for the diagnosis of LNM., Patients and Methods: This retrospective, single-institution, cohort study included patients who underwent radical surgery for clinical stage 0-III colon cancer, between March 2012 and February 2019., Results: Overall, 34.9% (66/189) of patients had pathological LNM. The optimal US diagnostic criteria were 1) short axis ≥7 mm and short/long ratio ≥0.75 and 2) at least two of the following: the absence of hilar echoes, expansive appearance, or peripheral/mixed vascularity by the colour Doppler and/or contrast-enhanced method. Compared to CT, US showed a higher diagnostic sensitivity (54.5% vs. 43.9%; p=0.296), higher concordance with the number of pathological LNM (correlation coefficient: US, 0.42; CT, 0.27) and pathological N diagnosis (weighted ĸ: US, 0.35; CT, 0.18), and higher sensitivity for advanced LNM, including multiple LNMs (47.4% vs. 18.4%; p=0.014) and N2 stage (27.8% vs. 5.6%; p=0.177)., Conclusion: US has higher sensitivity than CT for diagnosing LNM in colon cancer, along with a more accurate preoperative diagnosis of the N stage. Additionally, US may be more helpful than CT alone for preoperatively deciding the appropriateness of neoadjuvant treatment in colon cancer with advanced LNM., Competing Interests: The Authors have no conflicts of interest directly relevant to the content of this article., (Copyright 2022, International Institute of Anticancer Research.)

Rationale: Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is curable by tumor resection, but detection of the tumor can be challenging. Overproduction of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) by the tumor causes hypophosphatemia and consequently induces inappropriate bone turnover. Conventionally oral phosphate supplementation was the only treatment for TIO, but had risks of hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis. Burosumab, a human monoclonal anti-FGF23 antibody, was recently post-marketed in Japan against for FGF23-related hypophosphatemia. Herein, we present a case of TIO with undetectable tumor that was successfully treated with burosumab., Patient Concerns: A 47-year-old woman was forced to use a wheelchair because of pain in both feet., Diagnosis: Laboratory findings showed hypophosphatemia, elevated bone markers, and high serum FGF23 without renal tubular defects. Imaging studies revealed bone atrophy in the feet, decreased bone density, and multiple pseudofractures in the talar, sacral, and L5 vertebral regions. After excluding drug-induced and hereditary osteomalacia, we diagnosed her as TIO., Interventions: Comprehensive imaging studies and stepwise venous sampling failed to localize the tumor, and we started to administer subcutaneous burosumab., Outcomes: After administration of burosumab, her serum phosphate was normalized without phosphate supplementation within 2 months. Improvement of pseudofractures, relief of pain evaluated by a visual analog scale, and normalization of bone biomarkers were observed. The patient was able to stand by herself after 6 months administration of burosumab., Lessons: This is the first report in clinical practice to demonstrate favorable effects of burosumab, including not only normalization of serum phosphate but also improvements of pseudofractures and subjective pain, in a patient with TIO and undetectable tumor., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms (PDAAs) are rare visceral aneurysms, and prompt intervention/treatment of all PDAAs is recommended at the time of diagnosis to avoid rupture of aneurysms. Herein, we report two cases of PDAA caused by the median arcuate ligament syndrome, treated with surgical revascularization by aortosplenic bypass followed by coil embolization., Case Presentation: Case 1 A 54-year-old woman presented with a chief complaint of severe epigastralgia and was diagnosed with two large fusiform inferior PDAAs and celiac axis occlusion. To preserve the blood flow of the pancreatic head, duodenum, liver, and spleen, we performed elective surgery to release the MAL along with aortosplenic bypass. At 6 days postoperatively, transcatheter arterial embolization was performed. At the 8-year 6-month follow-up observation, no recurrent perfusion of the embolized PDAAs or rupture had occurred, including the non-embolized small PDAA, and the bypass graft had excellent patency. Case 2 A 39-year-old man who had been in good health was found to have a PDAA with celiac stenosis during a medical checkup. Computed tomography and superior mesenteric arteriography showed severe celiac axis stenosis and a markedly dilated pancreatic arcade with a large saccular PDAA. To preserve the blood flow of the pancreatic arcade, we performed elective surgery to release the MAL along with aortosplenic bypass. At 9 days postoperatively, transcatheter arterial embolization was performed. At the 6-year 7-month follow-up observation, no recurrent perfusion or rupture of the PDAA had occurred, and the bypass graft had excellent patency., Conclusion: Combined treatment with bypass surgery and coil embolization can be an effective option for the treatment of PDAAs associated with celiac axis occlusion or severe stenosis., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Aim: To report the outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy using a real-time tumor-tracking radiotherapy system for hepatocellular carcinoma patients., Methods: From January 2005 to July 2018, 63 patients with 74 lesions with a maximum diameter ≤52 mm were treated by stereotactic body radiotherapy using a real-time tumor-tracking radiotherapy system. No patient with a Child-Pugh Score ≥9 was included, and 85.6% had a score of 5 or 6. Using the biological effective dose (BED) with an α/β ratio of 10 (BED 10 ), the median dose in BED 10 at the reference point was 76.8 Gy (range 60-122.5 Gy). Overall survival (OS) and local control rates were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: With a median follow-up period of 24.6 months (range 0.9-118.4 months), the 1-year and 2-year OS rates were 86.8% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 75.8-93.3) and 71.1% (57.8-81.6), respectively. The 2-year OS was 89.6% in patients with the baseline modified albumin-bilirubin (mALBI) grade =1, and 61.7% in patients with grade ≥2a. In the multivariate analysis, the mALBI grade (=1 vs. ≥2a) was a significant factor for OS (p = 0.028, 95% CI 1.11-6.18). The 1-year and 2-year local control rates were 100% (100-100%) and 92.0% (77.5-97.5%). The local control rates were significantly higher in the BED 10 ≥100 Gy group than in the BED 10 <100 Gy group (2-year 100% vs. 86.5%, p = 0.049) at the reference point., Conclusion: This retrospective study of stereotactic body radiotherapy using real-time tumor-tracking radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma showed favorable outcomes with lower incidence of toxicities, especially in patients treated with BED 10 ≥100 Gy to the reference point., (© 2021 The Japan Society of Hepatology.)

Background: Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK) is a treatment option for patients with end-stage renal disease due to type 1 diabetes mellitus. We report a patient with a refractory fistula due to leakage from the duodenal stump of the pancreas graft after an SPK with bladder drainage who was successfully treated with a percutaneous direct injection of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA)., Case Presentation: A 60-year-old female with a 33-year history of type 1 diabetes mellitus and a 10-year history of renal replacement therapy underwent an SPK in 2015. At the time of transplantation, an abdominal aortic aneurysm with a high risk of rupture was treated by a Y-graft replacement prior to the SPK. Bladder drainage of the pancreas graft was chosen to avoid a vessel graft infection. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 93 with good-functioning pancreas and kidney grafts. One and a half years after the operation, the patient was found to have acute graft pancreatitis and a leak from the duodenal stump of the pancreas graft due to a paralytic neurogenic bladder. The insertion of an indwelling catheter into the bladder and the endoscopic-guided insertion of a catheter into the graft pancreatic duct through the duodenum/bladder anastomosis did not result in the closure of the fistula. Therefore, NBCA was injected at the site of the leak point using CT-guided technique. The fistula was completely closed immediately after the injection, with no recurrences of leaks., Conclusions: A percutaneous direct injection of NBCA is one of the treatment options to treat intractable fistulas.

[Purpose] To observe the effect of daily standing, as indicated by gross motor function, on the quantity and quality of the thigh muscles in adults with severe cerebral palsy and to obtain data to determine an appropriate intervention that will improve their quality of life. [Participants and Methods] Thirty-three adults with severe cerebral palsy participated in the study. We assessed the gross motor function using the GMFM-66-IS. We then evaluated the quadriceps muscle thickness and the rectus femoris muscle echo intensity using ultrasonography. We divided the participants into the standing and non-standing groups and then examined the correlations of the GMFM-66-IS score to muscle thickness and echo intensity. We calculated the difference in mean muscle thickness and echo intensity between the two groups using an independent t-test. [Results] Significant positive correlations were found between the GMFM-66-IS score and muscle thickness and echo intensity. In the group-specific analysis, no significant correlation was found between echo intensity and the GMFM-66-IS score in either group. Muscle thickness and echo intensity were greater in the participants of the standing group. [Conclusion] Daily standing, as indicated by gross motor function, affected muscle thickness and echo intensity. Quantitative and qualitative data might need to be evaluated when assessing the muscles of adults with severe cerebral palsy using ultrasonography., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest in association with the present study., (2021©by the Society of Physical Therapy Science. Published by IPEC Inc.)

M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs) in cancer tissues are intimately involved in cancer immunosuppression in addition to growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Hence, considerable attention has been focused on cancer immunotherapies targeting M2-TAMs. However, systemic therapies inhibit TAMs as well as other macrophages important for normal immune responses throughout the body. To stimulate tumor immunity with fewer side effects, we targeted M2-TAMs using photodynamic therapy (PDT), which damages cells via a nontoxic photosensitizer with harmless laser irradiation. We synthesized a light-sensitive compound, mannose-conjugated chlorin e6 (M-chlorin e6), which targets mannose receptors highly expressed on M2-TAMs. M-chlorin e6 accumulated more in tumor tissue than normal skin tissue of syngeneic model mice and was more rapidly excreted than the second-generation photosensitizer talaporfin sodium. Furthermore, M-chlorin e6 PDT significantly reduced the volume and weight of tumor tissue. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that M-chlorin e6 PDT decreased the proportion of M2-TAMs and increased that of anti-tumor macrophages, M1-like TAMs. M-chlorin e6 PDT also directly damaged and killed cancer cells in vitro. Our data indicate that M-chlorin e6 is a promising new therapeutic agent for cancer PDT., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This study evaluated the success rate and complications of percutaneous implantation of hepatic fiducial true-spherical gold markers for real-time adaptive radiotherapy (RAR), which constitutes real-time image-guided radiotherapy with gating. Material and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 100 patients who underwent 116 percutaneous intrahepatic implantations of 2-mm-diameter, spherical, gold fiducial markers before RAR from 1999 to 2016, with Seldinger's method. We defined technical success as marker placement at the intended liver parenchyma, without mispositioning, and clinical success as successful tracking of the gold marker and completion of planned RAR. Complications related to marker placement were assessed. Results: The technical success rate for true-spherical gold marker implantation was 92.2% (107/116). Nine of 116 markers migrated (intra-procedurally in seven patients, delayed in two patients). Migration out of the liver ( n =  4) or intrahepatic vessels ( n =  5) occurred without complications; these markers were not retrieved. The clinical success rate was 100.0% (115/115). Abdominal pain occurred in 16 patients, fever and hemorrhage in seven patients each, and pneumothorax and nausea in one patient each. No major complications were encountered. Conclusions: Percutaneous transhepatic implantation of true-spherical gold markers for RAR is feasible and can be conducted with a high success rate and low complication rate.

Thioredoxin is a low molecular weight (approximately 12 kDa) redox protein, and protects against harmful stimuli such as oxidative stress. Smoking evokes oxidative stress, among other biological responses. The clinical relevance of thioredoxin in smoking has not been fully investigated. Here, we examined the effects of smoking on serum and urinary thioredoxin levels, in comparison with various stress markers. Serum thioredoxin levels in the smoking group (10 subjects) were significantly higher than those of the non-smoking group (5 subjects). After smoking, serum thioredoxin levels significantly decreased, while urinary levels significantly increased. On the other hand, the levels of serum and salivary cortisol, plasma norepinephrine, salivary amylase, salivary thioredoxin, and urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels before and after smoking were not significantly different. These results suggest that a decrease in thioredoxin in the serum and the concomitant increase in the urine is a novel sensitive marker of biological stress responses induced by smoking. The change seems to be evoked by mechanisms different from hormonal or 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine-forming stress responses., Competing Interests: No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed., (Copyright © 2020 JCBN.)

A 54-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with dyspnea and heart failure. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a giant pelvic arteriovenous malformation (AVM) fed by the left internal iliac artery (IIA), right IIA, and inferior mesenteric artery. (IMA). The AVM was treated with selective embolization via the left IIA. Time-resolved three-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (4D-flow MRI) visualized a gradual flow reduction in the left IIA, whereas the flow in the IMA and right IIA increased relatively. After four sessions, the patient experienced symptom relief and the blood level of N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide decreased. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first reported use of 4D-flow MRI to quantitatively assess flow reduction in the case of pelvic AVM after embolization.

Background: Vascular abnormalities in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are rare, but are the second leading cause of death in persons with NF1. In NF1 vasculopathy (NF-V), fatal bleeding due to a spontaneous arterial rupture sometimes occurs. Ruptured extracranial arteries in patients with NF1 often involve thoracic vessels, such as the intercostal and subclavian arteries; very few reports exist regarding the abdominal region. Herein, we present the first case of intraperitoneal bleeding due to spontaneous pancreatic arcade artery (PAA) rupture associated with NF1, successfully treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) combined with stent-graft placement and partial intra-aortic balloon occlusion (IABO)., Case Presentation: A 40-year-old woman complained of back and abdominal pain. Upon admission, her blood pressure was 85/41 mmHg and heart rate was 129 beats/min. Computed tomography (CT) showed large intraperitoneal bleeding due to PAA rupture. After CT scanning, her systolic blood pressure decreased to 50 mmHg. Therefore, we performed emergency TAE with partial IABO. She was treated by TAE of the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery, anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery, and inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery. However, even after TAE, minor extravasation around the superior mesenteric artery continued, and her vital signs remained unstable. Stent-graft placement was selected to stop the haemorrhage, preserving normal blood flow of the superior mesenteric artery trunk. Excellent patency of the stent graft was confirmed on follow-up CT, and she was discharged on postoperative day 56., Conclusion: PAA rupture associated with NF1 can be successfully treated by TAE combined with partial intra-aortic balloon occlusion, and stent-graft placement.

Background: There is no definitive strategy for gastrointestinal bleeding due to left-sided portal hypertension after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic cancer (PC) with concomitant portal vein resection (PVR)., Case Presentation: Case 1: A 70-year-old woman underwent a PD for PC with PVR. Seven years after her surgery, she suffered severe anemia with suspected gastrointestinal bleeding. Computed tomography scan (CT) revealed varices at a portion of the pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ). Angiography revealed that splenic venous flow drained into the varices and then into the portal vein. A diagnosis of bleeding varices of the PJ due to left-sided portal hypertension was made. Following a partial splenic artery embolization, her anemia improved. Case 2: An 80-year-old male underwent a PD for pancreatic head cancer combined with resection of the confluence of the portal and splenic veins with a reconstruction between the portal and superior mesenteric veins. Eighteen months after his surgery, he developed melena with negative endoscopy findings in his large and small bowel. CT revealed varices at the site of the PJ that communicated with the jejunal and portal veins. He underwent obliteration of the varices via a trans-portal-venous approach. As a result, he remained without melena until he died of PC 17 months after the embolization., Conclusions: Left-sided portal hypertension following a PD with bleeding varices can be treated by interventional radiology with minimal invasiveness.

Purpose: To assess the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with tris-acryl gelatin microspheres for patients with symptomatic enlarged polycystic liver disease (PCLD)., Materials and Methods: This prospective study was approved by our hospital's institutional review board and planned for patients with symptoms related to enlarged PCLD, such as distended abdomen, gastrointestinal obstruction and abdominal pain. Hemi-hepatic embolization with tris-acryl gelatin microspheres was performed in the hepatic artery supplying the hepatic lobe that showed the predominant presence of cysts. Each patient underwent an assessment of liver function, a questionnaire survey about symptoms, measurement of the estimated volume of the whole liver before and after TAE, and an assessment of complications associated with TAE., Results: Five patients (four females, one male; mean age 52.6 ± 9.1 years) were treated. All five patients successfully completed TAE. The left lobe was treated in three patients and the right in two. After TAE, post-embolization syndrome and transient elevation of white blood cells, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase occurred in all patients, but none developed hepatic insufficiency or severe complications. The mean whole liver volume was 7406 ± 2323 mL before TAE, and 6995 ± 2139 mL (95.1 ± 5.2% of the pre-therapeutic value) at 3 months and 6855 ± 2246 mL (93.3 ± 9.7%) at 12 months after TAE. Three of the five patients reported an improvement of clinical symptoms within 12 months after TAE., Conclusion: TAE with microspheres can be a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic enlarged PCLD.

The steerable microcatheter (SwiftNINJA, Sumitomo Bakelite, Tokyo, Japan), which has a remote-controlled flexible tip manipulated using a dial in the handgrip, was recently developed and delivered to the market. This device enables the user to change the angle of the microcatheter tip manually, and potentially makes selective catheterisation easier. We evaluated its unique characteristics and utility in selective catheterisation and coil embolization. This article describes: (1) the advantages of this device in catheterisations involving acute angle branches, and (2) a new technique of compact coil packing with the use of intentional folding by the bendable tip of the catheter.

Purpose: This preliminary study compared ultrasonography-computed tomography (US-CT) fusion imaging and conventional ultrasonography (US) for accuracy and time required for target identification using a combination of real phantoms and sets of digitally modified computed tomography (CT) images (digital/real hybrid phantoms)., Methods: In this randomized prospective study, 27 spheres visible on B-mode US were placed at depths of 3.5, 8.5, and 13.5 cm (nine spheres each). All 27 spheres were digitally erased from the CT images, and a radiopaque sphere was digitally placed at each of the 27 locations to create 27 different sets of CT images. Twenty clinicians were instructed to identify the sphere target using US alone and fusion imaging. The accuracy of target identification of the two methods was compared using McNemar's test. The mean time required for target identification and error distances were compared using paired t tests., Results: At all three depths, target identification was more accurate and the mean time required for target identification was significantly less with US-CT fusion imaging than with US alone, and the mean error distances were also shorter with US-CT fusion imaging., Conclusion: US-CT fusion imaging was superior to US alone in terms of accurate and rapid identification of target lesions.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with ethanol in symptomatic patients with enlarged polycystic kidney disease., Materials and Methods: This prospective study was institutional review board approved and was planned for patients with symptoms related to enlarged polycystic kidney disease, such as a markedly distended abdomen, gastroesophageal reflux, and abdominal pain. At the time of TAE, all patients were undergoing dialysis therapy for chronic renal failure, and their urinary volume had decreased to less than 500 mL per day. Bilateral renal TAE with absolute ethanol was performed, and changes in kidney volume, clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and complications were evaluated after TAE. The differences in patients' kidney volumes, clinical symptoms, abdominal circumference, and dry weights before and after TAE were analyzed with a mixed effect model., Results: Fifteen patients (seven men and eight women; mean age, 57.7 years ± 5.3 [standard deviation]) were treated. Among the 15 patients, the follow-up period was 24 months in 13 patients, 6 months in one patient, and 3 months in one patient. The mean kidney volume was 3380 mL before renal TAE, and at 3, 12, and 24 months after TAE, it significantly decreased to 60.9%, 39.8%, and 32.1% of the pretherapeutic value, respectively (P < .001). All patients reported improved clinical symptoms within 3 months after TAE (P < .001). Abdominal circumferences were significantly decreased after TAE (P < .001). The dry weights also continued to significantly decreased until 6 months after TAE (P < .001), at which point they began to slightly increase until 24 months after TAE. Abdominal pain, nausea, and inflammatory response developed in all patients after TAE, but these symptoms improved with conservative treatment. Abscess formation was found in one kidney, and drainage catheter placement was performed. No major complications related to TAE occurred in the remaining patients., Conclusion: Renal contraction therapy by TAE with ethanol injection appears to be a safe and effective treatment in patients with symptomatic enlarged polycystic kidney disease., ((©) RSNA, 2015.)

Purpose: To determine whether the preoperative pancreatic apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) can be used to predict the development of postoperative pancreatic anastomotic failure (PAF)., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively examined the cases of 79 patients who underwent pancreatic head resection between January 2010 and October 2013. The patients underwent 1.5-T MR imaging including diffusion-weighted imaging before surgery. The main pancreatic duct diameter (MPD), the pancreatic parenchymal thickness (PT), and the ADC of the pancreatic remnant parenchyma were measured. Two radiologists blinded to the patients' outcomes performed the measurements. The imaging parameters were compared between the patients who developed PAF and those who did not. The cut-off ADC for the development of PAF was calculated with a receiver operating characteristic analysis., Results: The imaging parameters were highly correlated between the two observers. The MPD and PT did not differ significantly among the patients. The mean pancreatic ADCs were significantly higher in the patients with PAF than in those without PAF. An ADC higher than 1.50 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s (Az = 0.719, observer-1) or 1.35 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s (Az = 0.752, observer-2) was optimal for predicting the development of postoperative PAF., Conclusion: Measuring the preoperative non-tumorous pancreatic ADC may be useful for the prediction of a postoperative PAF.

Continuous hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) refractory to trans-arterial chemoembolization ( TACE) sometimes adversely affects the quality of life (QOL) of patients. Herein, we report a one-shot intraarterial infusion of cisplatin powder (IA-call®) combined with oral anticancer drugs for recurrent HCC refractory to TACE after liver resection.From July 2013, 4 patients who were diagnosed with recurrent HCC refractory to TACE after liver resection were treated with IA-call® infusions at 1-2 month intervals.Encapsulated tegafur-uracil (UFT-E) or sorafenib were administered sequentially.On average, IA-call® was administered 3.6 times per patient at a mean dosage of 93 mg per treatment. UFT-E was combined with the IA-call® infusion for 3 patients, and a sorafenib combination was used for 1 patient.In terms of the therapeutic effects of these regimens, we observed complete response (CR) in 1 patient, partial response (PR) in 2 patients, and progressive disease (PD) in 1 patient(response rate: 75%). Therefore, one-shot intra-arterial infusion of IAcall ® combined with oral anticancer drugs is an effective therapy for recurrent HCC while maintaining patients' QOL.

Gelatin sponge (GS) is one of the most widely used embolic agents in interventional procedures. There are four commercially available GS products in Japan; however, the endovascular use of Gelfoam and Spongel is off-label, and Gelpart can only be used for hepatic artery embolization and Serescue can only be used for hemostasis of arterial bleeding. GS has been used for a variety of clinical indications, mainly tumor embolization and stopping massive arterial bleeding. The optimal size and preparation procedure of GS particles differs slightly for each clinical indication. In addition, there is a risk of ischemic and/or infectious complications associated with GS embolization in various situations. Therefore, radiologists should be familiar with not only the preparation and handling of GS particles, but also the disadvantages and potential risks, in order to perform GS embolization safely and effectively.